Carlynton School District

 

Agenda Setting/Committee/Voting Meeting

June 4, 2009

Carlynton Jr.-Sr. High School Library – 7:30 p.m.

 

Minutes

The Carlynton School District Board of Education conducted its Agenda Setting/Committee/Voting Meeting Thursday, June 4, 2009 in the library of the junior-senior high school. Attendance included President Thomas Brown, Vice President Patricia Schirripa and Directors Thomas DiPietro, Ronald McCartney, David Roussos, Betsy Tassaro, Raymond Walkowiak and Sharon Wilson. Also present was Superintendent Michael Panza, Solicitor Ira Weiss, Pupil Services’ Director Lee Myford, Principals Jacie Maslyk, Robert Susini and Christopher Very. The audience was comprised of nine individuals and one member of the press.

 

 

Call to order - The meeting was called to order by President Brown at 7:30 pm. Senior Jordon Roussos was acknowledged and recognized for winning the state championship wrestling title. Principal Susini presented Jordon with a championship ring. WPIAL swimming champion Matt Millikin was also to be recognized, but was unable to attend the meeting.  In addition, the board tech crew of Jacob Harlich, Jeremy Murphy and Sam Schock were recognized for three years of service to the board. The pledge was then led by all four young men. Recording Secretary Michale Herrmann called the roll; Director Hughan was excused from the meeting.


public comment on business before the board:

High school teachers Laura Begg, Cynthia Eddy and Matthew O’Neil came before the board to discuss an item on the May 20, 2009 agenda regarding the proposed addition of a Spanish V course to the course listings. The item was tabled at the May meeting. President Brown said the item would need to be removed from the table before discussion could ensue. 

Director Tassaro moved to remove the item from the table, seconded by Director Wilson. On a voice vote, the motion was approved 7-1 with Director DiPietro voting no.

Dr. Panza explained how and why the course was initially placed on the agenda, stating he would accept blame for the action. When he later learned a procedure was in place for adding new courses, per the Instructional Cabinet, he agreed the item should be removed and not revisited as a course offering for the 2009-2010 school year. Ms. Begg said the teachers did not wish to convey that they do not support the course, but they wish to follow protocol. She then explained why the Instructional Cabinet was formed and the process by which its members follow to review and write curriculum for new course offerings. Director DiPietro commended the members of the cabinet for their work and agreed it is important to follow procedure. Dr. Panza suggested that everyone move forward, with the hopes that a curriculum for Spanish V could be considered for the future. Director Roussos argued that the course was necessary for those students who have completed four years of Spanish and want to continue in their fifth year, adding that the language is lost when it is not practiced and spoken frequently. He said consideration should be made to not offer Spanish in eighth grade, citing it as the possible reason students are completing four years of the language by the end of the junior year.  Director Schirripa noted that the Program of Studies encourages students to continue with another language.

 
Director Roussos and Tassaro suggested one year of another language would not be of much benefit to a student. The discussion continued for quite some time, with the teachers interjecting comments.  Mr. O’Neil added that by offering more courses, a limit is placed on the number of classes students can schedule, thereby creating a disadvantage for some who can’t schedule the classes or electives they would prefer because of conflicts with core classes.

In the end, the motion to provide a Spanish V course for the upcoming school year, originally moved by Director Tassaro and seconded by Director McCartney (at the May 20, 2009 meeting), was defeated by a ROLL CALL VOTE of 5-2-1, with Directors Brown, DiPietro, McCartney, Schirripa and Walkowiak voting NO, and Director Wilson abstaining.

 

approval of minutes:

Director McCartney moved, seconded by Director DiPietro, to approve the minutes of the May 20, 2009 Regular Voting Meeting as presented.  On a voice vote, the motion carried 6-0-2, with Directors Roussos and Wilson abstaining due to absence from the meeting.

 

REPORTS:

 

  • Executive Session – President Brown reported that personnel, legal and labor issues were discussed in executive session.

Ø      Principal and Pupil Services Reports – The principals reported on the many end-of-year activities taking place in their buildings; Lee Myford of Pupil Services said a team is gathering to respond to issues regarding least restrictive environments for special education students

Ø      Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Panza reviewed the calendar of upcoming events and provided the following information:

§   A copy of the physical education weight room reconfiguration was provided and will be placed on the next agenda

§   Policy 200 will be placed on the July agenda

§   A county meeting will be held June 23 to discuss pension issues

§   ClearChoice will run their test on June 18 to learn if the district qualifies for the program

§   Proposed new textbooks are in the conference room for board review

Ø      PSBA/Legislative – Director Walkowiak asked to show a PSBA Video about the consolidation of school districts; a short discussion followed

Ø      Pathfinder – Director Wilson attended the Pathfinder graduation and was happy to see seven students graduating

 

·         Miscellaneous

Director Tassaro moved, seconded by Director Roussos, to approve the following Conference Requests as presented:  

§         C…M.Mishkin…State College…Transition Conf…7/22-24

§         C…J.Maslyk…Penn State Univ…Speaker/PAESSP Conf…10/4-6

             (Miscellaneous Item #0609-1)

             On a voice vote, the motion carried 8-0.

 

·         Finance

The following 16  items will be placed on the June 25th agenda:

The Treasurer’s Report for the month of May 2009;

 

The May 2009 bills in the amount of $___________ as presented; 

 

Resolution No. 432-09 establishing the millage for real estate taxation for the 2009-2010 fiscal year as follows: Resolved that the Carlynton School District does hereby levy and assess the real estate tax for the fiscal year for all taxable property in the Carlynton School District for the Boroughs of Carnegie, Crafton and Rosslyn Farms, at 24.15 mills or $2.415 on each one hundred dollars ($100) of the assessed valuation on all property for school purposes. This represents no increase in the district millage rate; (Finance Item #0609-1)

 

Resolution No. 433-09 as follows: Resolved that the levy of one percent (1%) on all earned income and net profit levied by Resolution No. 44 of 1966 and enacted under the authority of the Local and Tax Enabling Act #511 of 1965 and its amendments thereto, is hereby renewed for the 2009-2010 fiscal year and for an indefinite term thereinafter, and all taxes levied under Act 511 of 1965 including the earned income and net profits tax and the real estate transfer tax be reenacted without substantial change. This represents no increase in the taxation rate;  (Finance Item #0609-2) 

 

The Carlynton School District 2009-2010 General Fund Budget in the amount of $23,867,714;  

 

Designate PNC Bank, Crafton Branch, as the official school district depository for funds received for fiscal year 2009-2010 in accordance with Section 621 of the PA School Code;

 

Authorize the administrative staff to contract with ____________ to provide voluntary student insurance for the 2009-2010 school year, at an amount not to exceed $___ per student for school-time coverage, and $___ per student for 24-hour coverage;  (Finance Item #0609-3) 

 

Participation in the ___________ Worker’s Compensation Program at a cost of $_______, effective July 1, 2009, as presented;  (Finance Item #0609-4) 

 

The insurance package for the 2009-2010 school year as recommended by _________ at a cost of $_________. (Finance Item #0609-5) 

 

That Patricia Keeley, Crafton Real Estate Tax Collector; Edward Adams, Rosslyn Farms Real Estate Tax Collector; and Karen Welsh, Carnegie Real Estate Tax Collector, be excused from further collection of school district real estate taxes for the 2008-2009 school year, effective June 30, 2009, and that the list of names of those owners submitted by each of the above tax collectors be given to the delinquent tax collector for the purpose of liening;

 

Reappoint Edward Adams as Rosslyn Farms Earned Income Tax Collector for the 2009-2010 school year;

 

Reppoint Sandra Hughan to serve as Treasurer of the Carlynton School District for the term beginning July 1, 2009 and ending June 30, 2010;

 

Renew public official bonds for Board Secretary Kirby Christy and Treasurer Sandra Hughan;

 

Grant authorization for the appropriate officials to provide tax duplicates to each of the District’s tax collectors on or before July 1, 2009, in accordance with Section 682 of the PA School Code;

 

Authorize the District to acquire the tax collector’s bonds as required by Section 684 of the PA School Code for the Carnegie, Crafton and Rosslyn Farms Tax Collectors;

 

Award bids for General, Art, Physical Education, Science, Medical, Custodial/Maintenance and Athletic Supplies for the 2009-2010 school year;  (Finance Item #0609-6) 

 

The following two items were approved in one motion:

Director Roussos moved, seconded by Director Walkowiak, to award the Elevator Safety Brake bid to Schindler Elevator Corporation, the lowest responsible bidder, at a price of $12,250;  (Finance Item #0609-7)

 

And to award the High School Driveway Paving bid to T.A. Robinson Asphalt Paving Company, the lowest responsible bidder, at a price of $281,555. (Finance Item #0609-8)  On a ROLL CALL VOTE, the motion carried 8-0.

 

 

·         Personnel

                                                                                                                                                              

The annual and semi-annual ratings for Temporary Professional Employees and Professional Employees and that these ratings be filed with the appropriate agencies consistent with Section 1008 of the PA School Code;  PLACE ON AGENDA

 

The list of Professional Employee Contracts for three years of satisfactory services as submitted by the administrative staff for the 2009-2010 school year; (Personnel Item #0609-1)  PLACE ON AGENDA

 

Director McCartney moved, seconded by Director Tassaro, to approve the additions to the list of Athletic Supplemental Contracts for the 2009-2010 school year as presented:

§         Robert Koger – JV Boys’ Basketball Coach

§         Evan DeRenzo – Boys’ Varsity Assistant Soccer Coach

§         Lawrence Fingers, Sr. – Junior High Head Soccer Coach

§         Gerard McDonough – Junior High Assistant Soccer Coach

§         Lacey Twigg – Head Varsity Cheerleading Coach

§         James Glaser – Head Varsity Girls’ Tennis Coach;

            (Personnel Item #0609-2)

 

To reappoint Dr. Sherry Marinacci as the school eye examiner for the 2009-2010 school year;

 

To approve Michael Dudicz as the summer head custodian for the summer of 2009, effective June 15, 2009 through August 19, 2009.  (Personnel Item #0609-3)

 

To approve the following individuals as summer 2009 custodial helpers, effective June 15, 2009 through August 19, 2009:

§         John Crawshaw

§         Jaque Haygood

§         Adam Miller

§         Dillon Nicholls

§         Jessica Prevost

§         Andrew Rose

§         Matthew Schmitt

§         Kevin Stinelli

§         Seth Calorie (Substitute)

§         Thomas Meighan (Substitute)

§         Jason Messer (Substitute)

§         John Pipakis (Substitute)     (Personnel Item #0609-4)

 

And to approve the resignation of Michael Schneiderlochner as Varsity Head and Junior High Swim Coaching positions, effective at the end of the 2008-2009 school year.  (Personnel Item #0609-5)  On a voice vote, the motion carried 8-0. 

Director Roussos noted that Mr. Schneiderlochner’s supplemental contract automatically ends at the conclusion of the school year.

 

 

·         Policy

                                                                                                                                                              

Policy No. 800, Records Management, as presented and reviewed by the solicitor.  (Policy Item #0609-1)  PLACE ON AGENDA

 

 

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None

 

NEW BUSINESS: None

 

OPEN FORUM: Parent and resident Nyra Schell informed the board that the Keys to Success program was completed for the school year. During the course of the program, hosted in the Crafton United Presbyterian Church, she served as a volunteer and believes the program has served as valuable homework support system for the students who attended. She asked that the program be considered again for the next school year if grant monies become available.

 

Director Wilson announced that the Relay for Life was successful, raising over $40,000.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT:  With no further business to discuss, Director McCartney moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:41 pm, seconded by Director Roussos. On a voice vote, the motion carried 8-0.

 

 

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